Braindead consumerism invades China

[marmar]

BEIJING (AFP) – Four people were taken to hospital and a glass door smashed as a near-riot broke out at Beijing's top Apple store among crowds rushing to snap up the popular iPad 2 tablet computer, according to state press.

Angry consumers began rushing the store on Saturday afternoon after a "foreign" Apple employee allegedly stepped into the crowd to push and beat people suspected of queue jumping, the Beijing News said.

After the employee retreated back into the store, a crowd of consumers smashed the glass front door and shoved security guards as they surged forward in anger over the alleged beatings, the report said.

Consumers have lined up for hours at Apple stores in Beijing and Shanghai since the iPad 2, the updated version of the tablet computer, went on sale in the world's biggest Internet market on Friday. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110508/ts_afp/chinaitcompanyinternetusappleipad

[liberal N proud]

1. Sounds like Black Friday shopping in Wal-Mart

[FreakinDJ]

2. Don't worry - Public Executions to follow

[On the Road]

3. I Don't Think Consumerism is an American Import

The Chinese are way ahead of the US in unrepentant materialism.

[leveymg]

4. Half these things are staged. Nothing like creating the appearance of shortage

to motivate people to buy crap they don't need.

Lines of frantic buyers are a constant meme in Apple marketing.